The Passing of a Role Model

On Sunday, January 28, 2007, Fr. Robert Drinan died.  Fr. Drinan was a Jesuit priest most known for being the first Catholic priest to be elected to Congress.  He served for five terms before being ordered in 1980 to either forgo re-election or leave the priesthood. 

Of his decision to leave Congress rather than the priesthood, Fr. Drinan said, "It is just unthinkable," (the idea of renouncing the priesthood to stay in office). "I am proud and honored to be a priest and a Jesuit. As a person of faith, I must believe that there is work for me to do which somehow will be more important than the work I am required to leave."

Throughout his life, Fr. Drinan was a public spokesperson for many social justice issues.  He was active in many causes and issues supporting human rights and ethical practices.  In the last decade, he worked tirelessly to end world hunger.  He was a man of great passion.  Throughout his life he demonstrated both a commitment to gospel values and a dedication to the priesthood. 

Fr. Drinan was an administrator at Boston College when I was a student there.  He left to run for Congress during my junior year.  He was a great inspiration and role model.  He was generous to students with his time and his passion for social justice was contagious.  While over time I did not always agree with his positions on every issue, I always respected his integrity.  His willingness to act on his beliefs and his convictions served as a role model for service to the Common Good.

Over the past few days, I have read many tributes to Fr. Drinan.  But I think Congressman Edward Markey of Massachusetts said it best: “Fr. Drinan was a man of faith who never stopped searching for truth, and he was a committed educator who stayed true to his faith."  He will be missed.